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Waterdog Films announced today plans to premiere its latest feature film 16 to Life written and directed by Emmy-nominated director Becky Smith. The film is slated to open in the following cities: Elkader, Iowa (Elkader Cinema, September 3); Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin (Star Theater, September 3); Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Collins Road, September 9); Iowa City, Iowa (Bijou Theater, September 9); Dubuque, Iowa (Mindframe Theaters, September 10); Des Moines, Iowa (Fleur Cinema, September 10); Davenport Quad Cities, Iowa (Rave Theater, September 10); Omaha, Nebraska (Rave Theater, September 10); Kansas City, Kansas (Glenwood Arts Theater, September 17) and Los Angeles, California (AMC Theater, September 24). Additional dates are expected and can be found at www.16ToLifeTheMovie.org. This is Smith’s feature film directorial debut.

The award-winning 16 to Life is a romantic comedy that puts a wry, witty and unpredictable ensemble cast in a small-town locale reminiscent of a Capra comedy. Critics have often compared 16 to Life to the films Juno and Sixteen Candles. 16 to Life follows Kate (Halle Hirsh), a teenager whose angst about her sexual inexperience fuels a comic quest for love and understanding on a birthday to end all birthdays. Kate is turning Sweet 16 – and has never been kissed. Before the clock strikes midnight, Kate will learn more about love, lust and life, than she could ever imagine!

Despite challenging fiscal roadblocks that face countless independent films today, Waterdog Films was able to produce this feature film, in part, through Iowa tax incentives. The Iowa incentives, currently on hold, were also used for the Sundance premiered Sugar, which won national attention and went on to a theatrical release. 16 to Life is the second film produced under the tax incentive.

Smith says, “I can say with certainty that we would not have been able to make this film on location, in Iowa, without the tax incentives. There is enormous talent in the Midwest, and great interest in filmmaking – so I hope that the program can be reinstated in some form.”

Executive producer Terry Trimpe addresses the challenges of getting independent films distributed. He says, “While it is difficult for independent film producers to get a film produced today, it’s more challenging to get it distributed. We feel quite fortunate to have been able to create the opportunities with Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Kansas and California theaters to show the film in its quest for national distribution.”

The ensemble cast is replete with familiar and fresh faces. Halle Hirsh (ER, You’ve Got Mail) plays Kate; Mandy Musgrave (South of Nowhere) portrays Darby; film veteran Theresa Russell (The Last Tycoon, Spiderman III) is Louise. Rounding out the cast is newcomer Shiloh Fernandez (The Girl with The Red Riding Hood, United States of Tara) who plays Rene and Jamie Gomez (Nash Bridges, Crimson Tide) as Ronald. Style guru and television personality Carson Kressley makes a cameo in the independent feature and also serves as one of the movie’s producers. Filmed entirely in Iowa (McGregor, Marquette and Stone City) the writer-director’s native state, 16 to Life has secured international attention winning six “Best Feature” awards at film festivals around the globe. Acting accolades were also bestowed upon Hirsh (Best Actress) and Russell (Best Supporting Actress).

The first feature length film directed by Smith, 16 to Life was a labor of love that often had Smith wearing multiple hats—writer, producer, director. Smith says, “I’ve been working in film and television for more than 15 years, and this was the best experience I’ve had, working in a beautiful place on a story I believe in, with a very talented group of people.”

16 to Life has been the darling of film festivals throughout the States and abroad. The feature has garnered six “Best Feature” awards from prestigious panels including: Landlocked Film Fest (Iowa), Methodfest (Los Angeles), Kansas Film Festival (Kansas), Asheville Film Festival (North Carolina), Tunisian International Film Festiva (Tuni), Toronto Female Eye Film Fest (Canada) and Iowa Motion Picture Association. The honors were compounded with two “Best Actress” nods for Halle Hirsh and a “Best Supporting Actress” honor to Theresa Russell.

Becky Smith is an Emmy-nominated director (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy). She received her Masters Degree in film from Stanford University and is an alumna of the American Film Institute’s Directing Workshop for Women. The Okoboji, Iowa native is a faculty member at the UCLA Film School and currently resides in Los Angeles.

At a bus stop in a run-down New Jersey town, Darja, a Polish immigrant cleaning lady, is done talking about feelings; it’s time to talk money. Over the course of 20 years, three relationships, and three presidents, Darja negotiates for her future with men who can offer her love or security, but never both.

The pic tells the story of first time novelist Fenton Dillane, who returns to New York City unannounced ready to reclaim his lost love, Jessie, who unbeknownst to him, is engaged to be married. Fenton enlists his head strong sister, Layla and his drug dealing best friend to win her back. His actions set in motion a chain of events that affect the lives of everyone around him for better and for worse.